Potential Complications Following a Traumatic Brain Injury

By
Dean Law Firm
|January 25, 2019

Traumatic brain injuries are among some of the most catastrophic injuries
a person can suffer due to both the short-term and long-term effects they
can have. To mitigate the complications one might experience in the immediate
aftermath, it is critical to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
This can help prevent the risk of severe damage and control complications.
Unfortunately, even with emergency medical assistance, it is still possible
for one to experience complications in the aftermath of sustaining a traumatic
brain injury.

Complications Commonly Associated with Traumatic Brain Injuries

Some of the complications an injured person might suffer are a direct result
of injury to the brain while others might occur from extended bed rest.
Complications could also occur due to the overall shock the body might
experience.

Below is a list of some of the most common complication one might experience
in the following days or weeks after the injury:

Increased intracranial pressure: The pressure that can build in the brain after a traumatic brain injury
can increase to dangerous, life-threatening levels. If treated quickly,
medications can help prevent and reduce high pressure.

Edema: When the brain contains more fluid than what is normal, swelling can occur.
When this happens within the brain, there is no space for the tissue to
expand, resulting in increased pressure and damage to the brain’s
cells. Medication and fluid restriction can help alleviate this problem,
though in very severe cases, surgery is sometimes needed.

Hydrocephalus: This refers to a condition that might occur in the initial period after
a traumatic brain injury is sustained, or within the first year. In severe
cases, a doctor might place a shunt in the brain to drain extra fluid
from it to other places in the body.

Low blood pressure: The brain needs oxygen and, if your blood pressure is too low, this will
decrease oxygen to the brain. Doctors should monitor your blood pressure
and take the appropriate measures to keep it from getting too low.

Pneumonia: Being in bed and unable to move increases a person’s risk of pneumonia.
Your health care team will have to carefully monitor you or your injured
loved one’s breathing. Chest x-rays might also be necessary to check
for pneumonia, which is a common complication for those who sustain traumatic
brain injuries.

Brain Infection: Infections commonly occur in those who sustain a penetrating brain injury
or depressed skull fracture. Generally, antibiotics can effectively treat
these infections, but sometimes surgery is necessary.

Blood clots: Again, if a traumatic brain injury patient is restricted to bed rest or
unable to move, this can lead to slow blood flow throughout the body,
which can ultimately cause blood clots, especially in the legs or arms.
This is also known as deep vein thrombosis.

Skin breakdown: Being bedridden and having other injuries could also result in skin breakdown
or bedsores to develop. Nurses often work hard to prevent this by changing
the patient’s position and expecting all areas of skin.

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys in Odessa

If you sustained a traumatic brain injury that was caused by another party’s
negligent or careless actions, you will need a skilled personal injury
attorney on your side to help ensure you are able to obtain the fair and
just compensation you deserve and need during this difficult time. At
Dean Law Firm in Odessa, our skilled team of personal injury attorneys
is dedicated to fighting on behalf of those who have been wrongfully injured
and will do what is necessary to hold the responsible party liable for
your suffering.

Get started on your
personal injury case today and
reach out to our law firm at (432) 214-8125 to request our free initial case evaluation
with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. Let us be your voice in or out of court.

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